Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 150, Airport Noise Compatibility Planning, was issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a final rule in January 1985. FAR Part 150 sets forth the methodology and procedures to be followed when preparing aircraft noise exposure maps and developing airport /airport environs land use compatibility programs.

FAR Part 150 studies typically consist of two primary components: (1) the Noise Exposure Map (NEM) report, which contains detailed information regarding existing and 5-year future airport/aircraft noise exposure patterns, and (2) the Noise Compatibility Program (NCP), which includes descriptions and an evaluation of noise abatement and noise mitigation options/programs applicable to an airport.

Has LAWA prepared a FAR Part 150 Study for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)?

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has a long history of implementing noise abatement and mitigation measures at LAX dating back to the late 1950s. In 1981, the Los Angeles City Department of Airports in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning and the cities of El Segundo, Hawthorne, and Inglewood undertook an Airport Noise and Land Use Compatibility (ANCLUC) Study to quantify LAX's aircraft noise exposure and to identify measures to mitigate aircraft noise impacts on the noise sensitive land uses surrounding LAX. The ANCLUC study process was the predecessor to the FAR Part 150 process. The LAX ANCLUC process was completed in June 1984. The LAX Noise Exposure Map (NEM) included in the ANCLUC and submitted under FAR Part 150 was accepted by FAA on October 16, 1984. On April 13, 1985, the FAA issued a record of approval approving 28 of the recommended measures in the LAX NCP.

Why is LAWA updating the FAR Part 150 NEMs for LAX?

LAWA's goals for this project is to obtain the FAA's acceptance of the new 2015 and 2020 NEMs to ensure that ongoing noise mitigation programs managed by the Cities of Inglewood and El Segundo, and the County of Los Angeles can continue to receive FAA grant funding.

What will LAWA produce during the LAX FAR Part 150 NEM Update?

The LAX FAR Part 150 NEM Update must be prepared in accordance with guidance provided in the FAR Part 150 regulations and the FAR Part 150 NEM Checklist developed by the FAA. As part of the LAX FAR Part 150 NEM Update LAWA and its consultants will quantify existing (2014/2015) and future (2020) aircraft noise exposure levels in the vicinity of LAX. LAWA will also develop supporting documentation explaining the process used to calculate existing and future noise levels. The LAX NEM Report update will provide LAWA and the FAA with a new set of NEMs which can be used to identify future noise mitigation needs. During the LAX NEM Report Update LAWA will not develop or recommend noise abatement or noise mitigation measures, determine the boundaries for future sound insulation programs at LAX, or identify properties that are eligible for sound insulation.

When will the LAX FAR Part 150 NEM Update be completed?

The schedule for the LAX FAR Part 150 NEM Update is presented below. LAWA anticipates the updated NEMs will be approved by the FAA by December 2015.

Reports/Public Workshop Materials

Project reports and public workshop materials including presentation boards will be uploaded to this website as they become available.

The Draft NEM Update documents are now available for the public to review. The documents are posted on this website and are also available at the facilities listed below. Deadline for submitting written comments related to this project is June 9, 2015.

FAR Part 150 encourages the participation of citizens and public agencies. LAWA is convening two rounds of public information workshops during the preparation of the updated LAX FAR Part 150 NEM Report. The first public information workshops were held in May 2014 to introduce the LAX FAR Part 150 NEM Update study. The second public information workshops are scheduled in May 2015 to present key study findings. Specific dates and times of the public workshops are listed below.

LAWA is interested in hearing from you. Your comments on the LAX FAR Part 150 NEM Update can be submitted at the public workshops or by (1) email to laxpart150nemupdate@lawa.org or (2) mailing them to LAWA: